Dorset Police and partners are encouraging communities to take a stand against anti-social behaviour (ASB) and highlight the actions that can be taken to tackle it during a week of targeted action.
Running from Monday 18 November to Sunday 24 November 2024, ASB Awareness Week is a national campaign aimed at alerting members of the public to the issues of ASB in their communities.
Throughout the week, officers and Police Community Support Officers across Dorset will be visiting ASB hotspots, speaking to schools and businesses, and holding community drop-in events.
Dorset Police will also be posting regularly on its social media channels throughout the week, informing the public of what constitutes ASB and providing details of the different agencies best placed to tackle it.
There are three main categories of ASB:
Personal anti-social behaviour is when a person targets a specific individual or group.
Nuisance anti-social behaviour is when a person causes trouble, annoyance or suffering to a community.
Environmental anti-social behaviour is when a person’s actions affect the wider environment, such as public spaces or buildings.
According to recent Dorset Police figures, anti-social behaviour is continuing to fall across the county. Reports of personal ASB have fallen by 39 per cent, nuisance ASB has fallen by 19 per cent and environmental ASB has fallen by 27 per cent since 2022.
Dorset Police is encouraging members of the public not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. They are encouraged to report it and together we can keep these numbers down.
Chief Superintendent and BCP Commander Heather Dixey, of Dorset Police, said: “I am very pleased to see ASB continue to fall across the county. This achievement has been very much a joint effort between our officers – who are dedicated to driving down ASB in the communities they serve – and our partner agencies, such as housing associations and local councils, who we will continue to work with collaboratively and effectively to make Dorset a safe place for people to live, work and visit.
“ASB affects people’s quality of life and how safe they feel within their communities, whether that’s in their own homes, at work or in public places. Tackling ASB remains a key priority for Dorset Police. We will not be complacent and we will continue to confront this issue head on.
“Furthermore, I would also like to reaffirm to the public the important role they play in stopping ASB in its tracks. When you report ASB, you are making your neighbourhood a safer place for you and your family. Reporting helps us to understand what and where ASB is happening in your community – if we don’t know about it, we can’t put a stop to it – so please continue to report it to us.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick added: “Since I became Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner, I have been determined to robustly tackle anti-social behaviour, as I know the impact it can have on people’s quality of life.
“My dedication to reducing this harm on our communities is why I made dealing with anti-social behaviour a key part of my Police and Crime Plan and have consistently supported Dorset Police with different initiatives including Operation Relentless, 100 Days of Summer and Op Track, alongside funding community-based solutions over the years.
“Targeted work from the Force, alongside strong collaboration with partners, has seen Dorset record the lowest number of anti-social behaviour incidents since 2007/08, as shown in recent figures. Furthermore, ASB reports across the county have fallen by almost 50 per cent since 2020/21 when I came into office.
“These positive statistics demonstrate we are moving in the right direction, and I will continue working to drive down this harmful behaviour.
“My own Operation Relentless Community Fund, which helps local projects reduce ASB, has now supported 39 projects from all corners of the county to deliver CCTV to community hubs and churches and provide young people with diversions to keep them away from problematic behaviour.
“I am clear that by working together with our partners, we will capitalise on these positive figures, crack down on the incidents which make people’s lives a misery and ensure all Dorset’s residents can feel safe where they live and work.”
Councillor Kieron Wilson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said: “I’m pleased to see data showing a decline in ASB across Dorset, reassuring us that our collective efforts are making a real, tangible difference.
“ASB Awareness Week reminds us of the power of standing together against anti-social behaviour, and BCP Council, alongside Dorset Police and partners, is fully committed to making our communities ever more safe and welcoming.
“Throughout ASB Awareness Week, a variety of events and activities will spotlight different ASB themes. I urge everyone to follow our social media channel for updates, and to join in on this important conversation.”
Councillor Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, including Community Safety, said: “Dorset Council is dedicated to helping combat anti-social behaviour (ASB) that affects people’s well-being.
“ASB comes in many forms, such as graffiti, noise disturbances, and harassment, so it’s vital that we work closely with Dorset Police, the communities we serve, and other partners to address and resolve complaints effectively.
“During ASB Awareness Week we’ll be highlighting the importance of reporting and tackling ASB, and we encourage everyone to find out more and get involved.”
You can report anti-social behaviour at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling Dorset Police on 101. As always in an emergency where life is at risk or a crime is being committed dial 999.
If we are not able to deal with your complaint directly, we will give you advice on which local agency can help and how to contact them. The police and other local agencies have a variety of different powers to tackle anti-social behaviour. As a guide local councils have the powers to deal with:
– Abandoned vehicles
– Graffiti and flyposting
– Damage to public property
– Rubbish and fly tipping
– Noise, including loud music, noisy neighbours, parties, alarms, animals and noise from pubs and clubs
For more information about ASB if you are a BCP Council resident, visit this website: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/communities/crime-safety-and-emergencies/antisocial-behaviour
For more information about ASB if you are a Dorset Council resident, visit this website: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/anti-social-behaviour
For more information about ASB and how to report it to police, visit https://www.dorset.police.uk/asb and https://www.dorset.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb-v3/report-antisocial-behaviour/
Find your neighbourhood policing team by visiting www.dorset.police.uk/area/your-area/
For more information about ASB Awareness Week visit www.resolveuk.org.uk
